Process of embossing fabrics



Aug. 4, 1931. E L. FUCHS ET AL PROCESS OF EMROSSTNG FABRICS Filed March 24. 1930 /N vii/v7 03;

HTToQN/EX Patented Aug. 4, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWARD L. FUCHS AND WILLIAI L. I'UcKS, 01 8'1. LOUIS, MISSOURI rnocnss or mmossnw'rnnics Application filed larch 24, 1930. Serial No. 488,886.

Our invention relates to improvements in process of embossing fabrics and has for its primary object a process by means of which textile and enamel coated fabrics, imitation 'slleathers and very thin leathers can be successfully embossed and retain such emboss- 1n It further object is the process of embossing fabrics in which that portion of the fabric having the im ression is rendered more or lesswater-proo I A still further object is the process of embossing in which a substance that becomes pliable under heat is partially forced into the fibers of the fabric and upon cooling sets-so that the embossed impression will be retained.

In the'drawings, Fig. 1 is a fragmental plan of a piece of fabric showing one way of carrying out our process.

Fig. 2 is a section of the same taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing another way of carrying out our process.

Fig. 4. is a section taken on the line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing still another way of carrying out our process.

Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line 66 of Fig. 5 and Fig. 7 is a rear view of Fig. 5.

In carrying out our invention, we employ a fabric 8 which may be either textile fabric plain, enamel coated or water-proofed. It may be imitation leather, very thin leather or similar substance as disclosed in Fig. 1.

In embossing a sheet of fabric as disclosed in Fig. 1, we take a second sheet of closely woven fabric 9. This fabric is relatively thin and has one face coated with an adhesive which is naturally hard, but which will soften under heat. This piece of fabric 9 is placed on the fabric 8 and then both fabrics are placed in an embossing press where the portion to be embossed is subjected to pressure and heat simultaneously. The heat softens the coating on the face of the fabric 9 which coating is placed next to fabric 8, permitting this adhesive to enter the fibers of both fabrics thus vulcanizing them together.

It is understood, of course, that the impressions made are not deep enough to rupture the fibers. After the design is thus pressed into the fabrics, they are firml set by reason of the partial absorption 0 the adhesive and then upon cooling, they will adhere together and at the same time, the hardening of the adhesive will retain the fibers in the form given them by the em bossing dies.

In Figs. 3 and 4, we have disclosed another way of following our process in which'lO represents the fabric similar to the fabric 8. 11, represents the fabric similar to the fabric 9. This fabric 11, is of course, provided with an adhesive coating. In this instance, however, the fabric 11 is placed on the rear face of the fabric 10 and then the same process is repeated. In this way, the embossing onlthe fabric 10, can be retained in its original co or.

In Figs. 5, 6 and 7, we have disclosed still another way of carrying out our process. This process is preferable where imitation leathers and enamel coated goods 12 are used which have a fabric backing 13.

In this instance, the portion to be embossed has the fabric side coated directly with the adhesive 14, no additional fabric being necessary and upon this adhesive drying, the fibers of the backing will be partially impregnated with the adhesive, then upon being placed in the embossing press, this adhesive will partially soften and permit the fibersof the fabric backing to assume the shape of the embossing die and upon cooling and the adhesive hardening, the impression will be retained.

When it is found desirable the embossed portion may be made in various colors, this of course, being done after the embossing has been finished.

Our process is especially useful in the embossing of tire covers for automobiles, because it permits the trademarks of the various automobile manufacturers or tire manufacturers to be embossed and colored on the tire covers. While we have shown merely a single letter, it is to be understood of course, that any designs or lettering can be used.

Heretofore when embossing fabrics, as above described, it has been customary to first glue a sheet of paper on the reverse side of the fabric and then place the same in the embossing press relying upon the paper to hold the impression of the embossing die. This has been found detrimental, because the paper hadto be relatively thick and consequently caused a hard spot to be formed i where the embossing took place. -Then again, the constant vibration of an automobile running over the road caused the tire to gradually rub ofi this paper with the result that the fabric composing the cover stretched and the embossing impression was lost. Then again, by using the paper, the paper absorbed moisture and consequently would readily peel and rub off, causing the impression of the embossing die to disappear.

With our process, however, in usin a fabric together withthe water-proof a esive such wearing ofi of the color or wearing of fabric fibers is eliminated. No hard spots are formed in the tire cover and on account of the extreme thinness of the fabric, such as disclosed at 9 and 11, practically no wear occurs, because this fabric is of about the thickness of ordinary tracing cloth. Then again, this fabric can be readily rendered moisture-proof so that no absorption of moisture will take place at that point.

Having fully described our invention what we claim 1. The process of forming permanent designs on automobile tire cover material which consists in applyin to a predetermined area of said material a t ermoplastic, self-hardening, non-peeling, constantly flexible substance, said material bein capable of resisting tensile strains and o retaining an embossed design without materially decreasing the flexibility of said material, and embossing said area by means of hot dies.

2. The process of forming permanent designs on tire cover material which consists in applying to a predetermined area of said material, a thermoplastic, self-hardening, 80 non-peeling, constantly flexible substance,

said material being capable of resisting tensile strains and of retaining an embossed de si without materiall decreasing the flexi-t bi 'ty of said materia and embossing said area simultaneously from both sides: of said material by means of hot dies.

3. The method of embossing a design in a predetermined area of an uncoated textile article subjected to repeated tensile strains and flexings in normal-use, said method consisting in applying an impervious thermoplastic, self-hardening coating to only that area of the textile to be embossed, then impressin said design by means of hot dies through sai coated area from both surfaces of said textile,

whereby the material of said coating will impregnate the textile, and thence releasing sa1 heat and pressure and allowing to coo whereby said embossed desi n will be impervious, will hold its shape through repeated tensile strains, and will flex without cracking.

In testimony whereof we have affixed our signatures. EDWARD L; FUCHS,

WM. L. FUCHS. 

